1995 & 1997 Beringer "Private Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“Made from Bancroft Ranch (34%), Tre Colline (36%), Chabot (19%) and the rest from the St. Helena Home Vineyard, the 1995 is not as complex as the 1994, but it is loaded with fruit. Still an adolescent in its development, it possesses a dense purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of blackberries and cassis, a youthful mouthfeel, good acidity, full body, abundant fruit and glycerin and a long, heady finish. This vintage was somewhat forgotten because of all the hype surrounding 1994, but it has turned out to be a great one for Bordeaux varietals in Napa.” (05/2011)

“A dazzling wine. Bursts with black-currant, plum, blackberry, tobacco, and olivaceous notes, and fine, toasty oak. Superb concentration; the fruit is simply fabulous, and so are the luscious, warm, silky tannins. Epitomizes class and elegance.” (06/2000)

“Full, dark red. Inviting musky aromas of dark berries, plum, dried flowers and spices show plenty of lift. Boasts lovely sweetness to its dark fruit, floral and brown spice flavors, with terrific vinosity energizing the middle palate. Finishes with serious tongue-dusting tannins and excellent length. Still at its peak, with no sign of fading. (ST)” (03/2016)

“A tightly wound wine from a classic vintage, with a firm band of cedar and spice wrapped around a core of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry. It fans out to reveal hints of olive and smoke, firming on the finish. *Cellar Selection* (JL)” (04/2000)

“A bountiful, nearly perfect crop of consistently high quality grapes was created by flawless weather with moderate, but steady temperatures throughout the summer and beautiful weather in September and October. The result is a great vintage in both quality and quantity. The fruit came from five separate vineyards, Bancroft Ranch and Tre Colline on Howell Mountain, Chabot and St. Helena Home Vineyard, and for the first time, a small portion came from the Marston Ranch on Spring Mountain. Still densely purple-colored, the 1997 exhibits wonderful plum, blackberry, cedar, spice and subtle smoky oak notes, a gorgeously opulent texture, full-bodied power and hints of roasted espresso and white chocolate in the flavors. This beauty can be drunk now and over the next 12-15+ years. One of the all-time great Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserves, it also has the highest production to date of this cuvée. (RP)” (06/2011)

“Bright medium ruby. Sexy aromas of dark berries and earth complemented by mellow mocha and coffee tones; inviting and mature but not at all old. Wonderfully suave, silky dark berry, spice and floral flavors are framed and extended by harmonious acidity. The tannins are serious but less dusty than those of the special Anniversary bottling and the juicy, subtle, rising finish avoids tartness. Showing beautifully today--and more refined than a bottle, rated 92 points, that was part of my big Beringer vertical tasting in 2015. (ST)” (09/2017)

“Creamy blackberry, cassis, toasty oak and vanilla aromas lead off. This elegant wine is loaded with additional flavors redolent of licorice, tobacco, spice and dense berries. It's all couched in supple, velvety tannins. Long and lush at the end.” (12/2001)

“Extremely glamorous Californian Cab with seductive layers of ripe fruit and no shortage of structure to keep it evolving in bottle. Very correct rather than flabby. 18/20 points (JR)” (03/2002)